Medal-winning David backs Welsh scheme (From Barry And District News)

Medal-winning David backs Welsh scheme

BARRY'S Olympic bronze medal winning swimmer and Commonwealth Games hopeful David Davies was on hand at the Wales Millennium Centre to launch The Welsh Sports Association's (WSA) latest drive to develop sporting opportunities through the medium of Welsh.

The umbrella body for national governing bodies of sport in Wales has developed the Welsh Language Development Support Programme in partnership with the Sports Council for Wales and the Welsh Language Board.

It is aimed at creating more opportunities to take part in, coach and be coached in Welsh.

It will focus initially on the identification of Welsh speaking coaches and providing a Welsh language support programme for the coaches to enable and encourage them to work in Welsh.

Training for nearly 30 hours every week, swim star Davies, aged 20, backed the plans to create a Welsh language sporting environment for young people - before hopping a bigger pond to start warm weather training in Australia on Sunday ahead of the Commonwealth Games (March 15-26).

He said: "As a professional swimmer, I spend most of my time in competitions or in training sessions.

"Over the years, I have made some good friends across the world.

"Language can really make a difference to how people interact with one another and I'm proud to use the Welsh language at every opportunity with team mates and friends."

Chairman of the Welsh Sports Association, Bob Turner said: "The appointment of a Welsh Language Development Officer at the WSA indicates our commitment to providing equal opportunities for all sports in Wales."